You’re being cautious. You want to do something, but you’re waiting for the right moment. You keep telling yourself: I must be careful. I can’t ruin what I already have. Today, Jason will help you move forward — and to do this, he is going to teach you the Messy Couch Principle. It’s a new way to assess your problem, and then find the confidence to act boldly.

Jason was asked for a favor— but told that he couldn't expect a favor in return. Should he be annoyed? Or is he expecting too much? Today, Nicole shares with Jason how she builds relationships that are mutually beneficial.

You know what you want. But it doesn’t make you happy. Maybe you reached a goal, but it wasn’t as satisfying as you expected. Or you’re chasing a goal, but it feels perpetually out of reach. Either way, now you feel stuck.

Today, Jason will share the antidote — which he calls “Say yes to more than what you want.” It’s a way of thinking beyond your immediate goals, so you aren’t trapped by them. Today, he'll show you how to do it.

In today's episode, Nicole and Jason are joined by a founder Nicole critiqued on this very podcast. Tea! This conversation could have gone one of two ways, but how this founder responds is *chef's kiss* perfection. This conversation will leave you with a script you can use next time you get some tough feedback.

Find the most excellent Kim Kaupe here: https://kimkaupe.com/

Originally aired in 2023

You’re stuck between two bad options:

Today, Jason will help you clarify a difficult choice — and he’ll show you how it works through a real-life example his friend lived through.

If you've ever been the center of a story that's unflattering or just plain embarrassing, you probably wish you could go back in time and undo it. Unfortunately we can't do that, but we can take control— and change— the narrative. Today, Nicole and Jason share how to do just that, and they start by unpacking a viral video that the internet got so wrong.

Ever worry that someone hates you? Or is avoiding you? Jason experienced this recently, and it messed him up. But he also gained critical insight on the problem — and how to solve it. Today, Jason will share what he learned — so that you can remain calm and focused, and maybe even jumpstart the relationships you thought were dead.

The tariff rollercoaster has sent nearly every American business— big and small—scrambling to create contingency plans. In these stressful times, Jason and Nicole are inspired by stories from entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who have created opportunities out of uncertainty, like Sarah Zurell, CMO of Chinese Laundry. Jason and Nicole call up Sarah to hear how Chinese Laundry pivoted in response to the tariffs. Then, they share insights that you can use to navigate uncertainty at your work, no matter the obstacle.

Learn more about Sarah's work here.

Learn more about CPG FastTrack here.

Nicole’s back on Help Wanted—and a lot has changed: she became a mom, then she lost her home and studio in the LA fires, and now she’s rebuilding—literally and emotionally. Together, Jason and Nicole unpack why asking for help is so hard, and the science behind what makes a strong support system. Most importantly, Nicole shares everything she learned about how to effectively ask for support, giving you strategies to ask for— and get— the help you need.

You’ve been through it.

A layoff. A failed project. A rough season. Now you’re haunted by a worry you can’t shake: What if people can see my failures?

But here’s what you need to know: Nobody sees your past except you. They only know what you show them. Today, Jason will help you walk into a room more confidently — so you show up as someone worth betting on. (Because you are!)